The Great American Family (GAF) cable network has announced that it closed out the fourth quarter of 2022 as the fastest-growing network in all of cable television, according to The Nielson Company’s ratings. GAF issued a press release explaining that in only its second year of existence, the network is ranked #1 in “Total Day ratings growth in Households, People 18-49, Total Viewers and Primetime ratings growth in households among all cable networks.”
GAF’s rapid emergence and cable success follows closely on the heels of, and is undoubtedly due to, the ongoing wokeness of the once-family-friendly Hallmark Channel network, which if it didn’t invent the Christmas romcom, certainly took the genre to unprecedented heights of popularity.
The Hallmark Channel was once renowned for its Christmas-themed movies filled with family-friendly entertainment. When Hallmark started incorporating gay and lesbian plots and sub-plots into its Yuletide offerings, many viewers became disenchanted and started turning off Hallmark, while hoping for a wholesome alternative to appear.
That alternative showed up in 2021 in the form of the GAF network, which in 2022 lured away Hallmark’s top star – Candace Cameron Bure – to star in and produce GAF programming. Bure, an outspoken Christian who starred in the television series “Full House” and “Fuller House,” had been a featured star in over two dozen of Hallmark’s Christmas movies, mysteries, and other fare until GAC Media, the parent company of GAF, convinced her to join the new network.
Without anyone saying so publicly, it’s obvious that GAF’s success is due to the negative reaction by the viewing public with Hallmark’s new “woke” programming, and GAF’s commitment to family-friendly shows and movies.
GAC Media describes itself as featuring “family-friendly series, original holiday movies and seasonal romcoms that celebrate faith, family and country.”
Anyone who watched Bure’s first Christmas feature movie for GAF, “A Christmas … Present” which aired on November 27, 2022, will attest to the new network’s commitment to faith and family. The storyline features Bure’s character, real estate agent Maggie Larson, struggling with issues of faith as she and her family pay a Christmas visit to her brother, whose wife is recently deceased.
Bure was attacked by the Left recently for expressing her opinion, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, that GAF will keep traditional marriage at the core of its programming. Various celebrities and LGBT activist groups, including GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) criticized Bure for her comment.
The actress wrote a lengthy response on Instagram to her critics with characteristic grace. Here’s just part of what she wrote:
“I would like to address my comments on Great American Family’s programming as reported in The Wall Street Journal. All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone. It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever.
“I am a devoted Christian. Which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God. Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately. My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us.”
It’s nice to see GAF’s attempt to provide wholesome family entertainment rewarded by a host of new fans. Hopefully we’ll get to see many more performances from Bure and other GAF stars such as Danica McKeller, Gladys Knight and Jen Lilley.
You can locate the Great American Family channel on your cable menu by going here.
Related:
What Candace Cameron Bure Can Teach All of Us About Bold Faith and Purposeful Parenting
Watch 18 New Family and Faith-Friendly Christmas Movies on Great American Family
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